EXAMINATION TOPICS BASED ON READING AND LISTENING

COMPREHENSION

(Pre-Intermediate Groups)

1.Discuss different opinions of the threat of population growth on our planet (Section
IV, “The Population Bomb”, “There’s Plenty of Room Aboard Planet Earth”).

For decades the population explosion has been giving people nightmares. Figures and
numerous facts prove that there re already, and certainly will be, too many people.
Simply calculating the lengths of time necessary to double the world’s populating is
enlightening. Currently, the world’s population increases by three every second and
by a billion every decade. With figures such as these, the gloom has been
understandable. World’s population is still rising fast, but many scientists think that it
is already plain, that the worst forecasts will never become reality. Far from reaching
fifteen billion, nearly three times today’s figure, the odds are that it may never get to
ten billion.

In Chine, this is the result of tough government policies on family size, but, in many
countries it has been achieved without coercion. In most of Europe, the birthrate is
now well below replacement level. The change has come about because of dramatic
drops in fertility in many countries. Because of the population-food imbalance
necessitates “at any price” a growth of agricultural production, methods often harmful
to the environment are used without judgment. Examples abound. Falling fertility and
successes such as these show that there is at least a case for feeling optimistic about
the future. Paradoxically, the greatest problems may come not from soaring
populations but from the declines now beginning to become evident in some
developed countries.

As a result, a good part of humanity suffers from malnutrition or from

undernourishment. Some think that recent scientific discoveries applied to agriculture
and known under the name of “green revolution” will resolve the problem. Nothing is
less certain. Promoters of the revolution themselves believe that it can offer only a
respite of ten or twenty years. In underdeveloped countries, although predominantly
agricultural, the lag in food production in relation to demographic growth increases
more and more. As the crisis worsens, these countries will have to import food. The
constructions of colossal dams to irrigate hundreds of thousand of acres can in fact
provoke catastrophes. Thus, the Aswan Dam currently prevents the deposit of fertile
silts brought each year by the flooding of the Nile. The result will obviously be a
decrease in the fertility of the Delta lands. Moreover fertilizers, synthetic pesticides,
DDT can be devastating, transforming ecosystems, necessary for the conservation of
the environment, into simple ecosystems. So monocultures are a case of mutation.
Certain situations are perceived as dangerous only when they become critical enough
to cause numerous deaths. Smog is an example. Many deaths provoked an awakening
of conscience and resulted in decisions which have proved efficacious. But smoke
presents still other dangers: namely, it destroys plants which offer little resistance, and
whose oxygen production is indispensable to us and it changes the earth’s thermal
equilibrium.

For these forms of pollution as for all the others, the destructive chain of cause and
effect goes back to a prime cause: too many cars, too many factories, too many
detergents, and too many pesticides, inadequate methods for disinfecting sewers, too
little water, and too much carbon monoxide. The cause is always the same: too many
people on the earth. Optimists believe and often assert that science will indeed find
solution to the problem of overcrowding, namely by proving the means to immigrate
to other planets. But this solution is totally utopian. In effect, even if it should become
possible, 50 years would be sufficient to multiply to the point of population all the
planets with a density equal to that of the Earth. Although the most likely peak figure
was predicted to be 10 billion, much lower figures were not ruled out. Those who
have painted a rosy picture of an environment recovering its natural beauty as the
impact of human numbers declines could find that the opposite is nearer the truth.

2. Prove that the problem of overpopulation is an urgent one (Section IV, “The
Population Bomb”)

From the very start I want to admit that population growth, as well as other global
problems in the world, is an urgent one. The world’s population increases by 3 every
second and by a billion – every decade. The world will undergo famines soon;
hundreds of millions of people are going to starve. Some doubters claim it was
erroneously predicted. The greatest problems may come not from soaring populations
but from the declines now becoming evident in some developed countries. As a result,
a good part of humanity suffers from malnutrition or from undernourishment. In
underdeveloped countries, the lag in food production in relation to demographic
growth increases more and more. As the crisis(крайсис) worsens(ё), these countries
will have to import food. Optimists believe that science will indeed find solution to
the problem of overcrowding, namely by proving the means to immigrate to other
planets. But this solution is totally (ю)utopian. Even if it should become possible, 50
years would be sufficient(сэфишнт) to multiply to the point of population all the
planets with a density equal to that of the Earth. Those who have painted a rosy
picture of an environment recovering its natural beauty as the impact of human
numbers declines could find that the opposite is nearer(нирэа) the truth(у)

3. Так about the problems a newly-independent state is confronted with (Section IV,«
Progress in Samoa»).

Chinese people say that the worst thing is to live in the time of changes. With a rich
choice of possible ways of further development comes a bunch of problems as well
and it is especially time as for the newly-independent states. I’d like to illustrate this
on the example of Samoa. The sound of progress frightens the Samoans. For most of
their 50 years life time has stood still. They have worked the banana plantation and
respected the custom that the family chiefs represented absolute authority. They
owned all the land communally, they elected a parliament and they administrated
justice in each village, thus leaving few duties for the nation’s 219-man police force.

No doubt, Samoa is a poor country and changes must come, but the Samoans do not
want them so fast. They do not want their children to go to New Zealand to look for
big money, but to stay them and work the plantations as they always have done. The
confusion is shared by many of the Samoans – and undoubtedly by the people of other
newly independent, developing nations as well. The capital is teeming with people
wanting to help: experts from the USA, investors from Japan, analysts from Asia and
civil engineers from New Zealand.

Already streets are being torn up for a new road system. The hospital is being rebuilt
with a loan from New Zealand. A new Government hotel has opened to promote
tourism – an industry the county is not quite sure it wants. Loans from banks will
modernize the communications system. Japanese investors have opened a sawmill and
are building houses. When these and many other development schemes are turned into
reality and Western Samoa, one of the world’s poorest nations in cash terms, is forces
into the 21st century, what is to become of its culture? Most Samoans want the
modern amenities, but they don’t want to throw away their culture. there is no easy
answer because in many ways the culture retards development. The question people
are asking is, what is a balance between the past and the future.

The tradition of communal land ownership stultifies individual incentive and has
resulted in neglect of the land. The exodus to New Zealand – and the money the
emigrants send home – create a false economy and results in thousands of Samoan
families ignoring the land and living off the earnings of their expatriate children.
They, together with thousands of other Samoans in New Zealand on temporary work
visas, send home about 3 million a year. The money provides a boost to Western
Samoa’s agricultural economy, but it also is inflationary, and the inflation rate has
been 35 per cent in two years. Nevertheless, Western Samoa has traveled a long way
in the 12 years since independence. It has political stability and a people who are 90
per cent literate. It offers investors a cheap labour force, and a land that is 80 per cent
uncultivated. And at the same time it offers visitors the most uncorrupted Polynesian
culture left anywhere today.

4. Talk on how parents feel about their children traveling on their own for the first
time (Section VI,« Traveller»).

It goes without saying that parents always get worried when their children go abroad
to visit new places and get to know other ways of living, as only by traveling in, or
living in, a country and getting to know its inhabitants and their language, that one can
find out what a country and its people are really like. Without any doubt traveling is
necessary for all of us as it broadens the mind and liberalizes one’s outlook. It’s a kind
of relaxation and a wonderful opportunity to get away from hustle and bustle of our
every day life.
Youth travels light: no suitcase, no sport coat, not much luggage, and a slim expense
account, and yet it goes to the scene, gets the story, and comes back safely. A child
returns from abroad with a dozen rolls of exposed film and a hundred dollars in
uncashed traveler’s check. When he walks in and you embrace and he says he’s
missed home, his electric system suddenly switches off and he heads half-unconscious
for the sack, where he beats his old record of 16 hours. But it never occurs to them to
ask how their parents feel, as the household is running a low fever over the trip. Many
parents say the night your children returns with dust on his shoes from a country
you’ve never seen is a night you would gladly prolong into a week. I think there are 2
arguments for it.

First of all they fill proud for their child as in their book he is the first man to land on
the moon. When their son or daughter calls, they sit at the kitchen table and learn
forward and hang on every word. Their child’s voice comes through clearly, though
some of the calls can be like ship-to-shore communication in which you have to
switch from Receive to Send and when parents interrupt their child with a “Great!” or
“Really?” they knock a little hole in his transmission. Secondly they are happy to see
that their children are getting older and independent. The advice that parents give to
their children don’t hold water any more, not even some fallback phrases which are
supposed to be helpful. So parents have no advice to give them and that what they
have already given are probably not much help. And they are amazed at their
children’s having grown into mature, independent people.

5. Так about stereotyped ideas that people may have about the way of life in оther
countries. (Section IV, «Traveller's Tales»).

Every country tends to accept its own way of life as being normal one and to praise or
criticize others as they are similar to or different from it. And unfortunately, our
picture of the people and the way of life of other countries is often a distorted one.
Here is a great argument in favor of foreign travel. It is only by traveling in, or living
in, a country and getting to know its inhabitants and their language, that one can find
out what a country and its people are really like. And how different the knowledge
one gains this way frequently turns out to be from the second-hand information
gathered from other sources! How often we find that the foreigners whom we thought
to be such different people from ourselves are not so very different after all! Yes,
travel does broaden the mind. And learning the language and culture of another nation
does liberalize one’s outlook. But when people travel they should be open to new
experiences.

Though sometimes, people are convinced, that their ideas about a country and its
people are accurate, so having some stereotypes, they don’t want to leave them.
Nobody wants to be average, so generalizations about nations aren’t usually
welcomed. The danger may go even deeper when someone tries to generalize from his
own limited experience. The Americans, for instance, are the nation about which
numerous stereotyped ideas exist. They are created as a rule by the people who have
never been to the USA but nevertheless they are apt to assure others categorically that
the country isn’t worth visiting. You may hear that the whole pace of life, a perpetual
strain over there is dreadful. And the strains of commuting seems absolutely
appalling, because they are very committed to the idea of living in town. And slipping
away at weekends to their little place in the country which they suppose is something
the Americans

don’t have at all, since it’s entirely occupied by all those immense suburban housing
developments. And they should hate find themselves stuck in a suburban ranch-type
house surrounded by nothing but shiny domestic gadgets, and housewives committing
adultery and going mad from boredom and frustration. I cast my mind back
desperately, trying to focus it on the Pace of American. Life and dreadful rat-race over
there. So if you go there you will meet the wrong lot of housewives and go to the
wrong lot of houses. Moreover it will turned out that you’ll meet the wrong lot of
American children, too. All the ones you’ll meet will be delightful, which just goes to
show the danger of generalization from one’s own limited experience, because many
people are able to assure you categorically that American children are in fact
unbearable. Coming to the USA you get surprised. American life isn’t a dreadful rat-
race at all, although it has certain peculiarities one should be ready to adopt oneself to.
I have a conviction that the Americans give a good example of hard work and
optimistic life style.

So it goes without saying, that it is only by traveling in, or living in, a country and
getting to know its inhabitants and their language, tha тьбротt one can find out what a
country and its people are really like.

6. Have you (or someone you know well) been to the USA? Does your (their) opinion
of this country coincide with some of the stereotyped prejudices? (Section
IV,«Traveller's Tales»).

People who have never lived in another country very often have stereotyped ideas
about other countries and their population. For instance if you ask people who have
never been to America they will surely be floundering about it hopelessly , mumbling
that it is big and they find the whole pace of life over there so dreadful. They cast their
mind back desperately and venture to say that there is a perpetual strain and a
tremendous social pressure. It seems absolutely appalling to commute cause people in
our country are very committed to the idea of living in town and slipping away at
weekends to their little places in the country. But not the Americans. They are stucked
in a suburban ranch-type house surrounded by nothing but shiny domestic gadgets,
and housewives committing adultery and going mad from boredom and frustration.
Moreover life is a dreadful rat-race over there. Americans are so tremendously
conformist. They automatically brand people who express the most radical dissent on
every subject as Communists. It’s all wrong! Besides Am. have the mania about
personal cleanliness. They all dash off to take showers every 5 min. cause there is hot
air and high humidity in many states. Another stereotype is that there are only
prepackaged flavourless stuff you can get over there. Moreover Am. Children are
unbearable but I think it’s a nonsense they are quite delightful which is goes to show
the dangers of generalizing. Anyway I’m sure that its always marvelous to come back
home in one’s native country. Moreover, I reckon that one enjoys visiting a foreign
country but one wouldn’t like to live there, that seems to be the consensus of opinion-
a conclusion that satisfies pretty well everyone.

7. Talk about the place Madame Tussaud's museum occupies among оther tourist
attractions in London (Section V, «Madame Tussaud's”; Listening Comprehension.
Videofilm: “Madame Tussaud's”).

It often comes as a shock to Londoners that Madame Tussaud’s is one of the capital’s
top attractions. Many find this museum gruesome and frightening. Others maintain
that its collection of wax statues has no artistic merit. Some even point put that the
waxworks are simply an invention, transported to London by the establishment’s
founder, Madame Tussaud. Yes, despite these criticisms, Madame Tussaud’s has
become a world famous “institution”. Millions of visitors from overseas and from
other parts of Britain wouldn’t consider their trip to the capital worthwhile without a
stop at the usual waxwork exhibition. It is. of course, true that Madame Tussaud’s was
French in origin. Madame Tussaud was indeed born in Paris and was herself a
modeler of waxworks in her uncle’s waxwork museum in the French capital. It is said
she perfected her skills by modeling the royal family. Despite her monarchist
sentiments, she managed to survive the French Revolution and the reign of terror that
followed it, making death masks of many of its famous victims. In 1802, she brought
the collection, which she had by then inherited from her uncle, and her children to
England. There she traveled the country for 33 years before settling in London. The
exhibition consists of a series of halls. In the first hall, famous for its historical
tableaux, there is the “Sleeping Beauty” figure, which has been cast from one of the
oldest models with a mechanism that stimulates breathing. The second hall is known
as The Conservatory, where visitors can view full-size wax models of sport, film.

Next to “Super Star” is the Grand Hall. This room is peopled by historical, political,
military and royal figures. The next hall is undoubtedly the most famous of the
waxwork rooms – the Chamber of Horrows. Nowhere are the visitors quieter than in
this eerie place. Terrifying scenes follows terrifying scenes: there are models
illustrating methods of execution, the most infamous prisoners who were sentenced to
life imprisonment for their vile crimes. It is easy to understand why some people
criticize Madame Tussaud’s for its horror and sensationalism. It is even easier to
understand why some people go there to be entertained.

8. Talk about the language of Shakespeare and the difficulties of presenting

Shakespeare’s characters to a modem audience (Section V, I. «Shakespeare»;
2.«Drama in Cambridge»).

For any Englishman, there can never be any discussion as to who is the world’s
greatest poet and greatest dramatist. Only one name can possibly suggest itself to him:
that of William Shakespeare. Every Englishman has some knowledge, however slight,
of the work of their greatest writer. All of us use words, phrases and quotations from
Shakespeare’s writings that have become part of the common property of English-
speaking people. Most of time we are probably unaware of the source of the words we
use, rather like the old lady who was taken to see a performance of hamlet and
complains that it was full of well-known proverbs and quotations!

Shakespeare, more perhaps than any other writer, made full use of the great resources
of the English language. most of us use about five thousand words in our employment
of English; Shakespeare in his works used about 25 thousand! There is probably no
better way for a foreigner to appreciate the richness and variety of the English
language than by studying the various ways in which Shakespeare uses it. Such a
study is well worth the effort, even though some aspects of English usage, and the
meaning of many words, have changed since Shakespeare’s day. That is why many
stage directors find it difficult to put Shakespeare’s plays on the stage. When people
are from Great Britain, all of them native speakers of English, and they are presenting
their work in the main part to people who are not, they can be prey to many fears. It is
difficult for them to try to understand how perceptions of this play and their
presentation of it will differ in the various places they will visit; it is a great stretch to
their collective imagination to try to think their way into different cultures, different
values, different preconceptions.

This process is difficult, but rewarding. They have to question how they themselves
see Shakespeare, and how they go about accessing his work. For although they are
British, the language of Shakespeare is still not their own and is still foreign to them.
Although they often blithely commend him as universal, everybody knows that
making Shakespeare work for a modern English-speaking audience requires great
thought and effort. So in preparations for presenting a play abroad, they have to look
further within the text, and within themselves, to try to grasp the essence of the play
and to bring it out in a way that does not require a British sensibility to comprehend it,
but which appeals to all.

9. Talk about the actual realization of the project of an English student theatre touring
Eastern Europe and Russia: the problems and the rewards. (Section V, «Drama in
Cambridge»).

Cambridge is the most active centre of student theatre in Britain. Сambridge Theatre
Overseas is only one of a large number of theatre gрoups within the University .it is
run only by students. Сambridge Theatre Overseas is a small Camidge University
Society formned one year ago to touring overseeas. It seemed that it was impossible
but then thanks to the efforts of people it turned out to be done. The group visited
Poland, the Baltic States, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to show Shakespeare's
plays.The tour will be very difficult for the 24 members of the group; the travelling
combined with such a busy schedule is a great challenge. It was so difficult because
actors was British, all of them native speakers of English, and they presented their
work in the main part to people who was not. But the language of Shakespeare was as
foreign even for britains. And I'd like to say that it took a lot of effort to show the
whole Shakespeare language on stage

10. Describe an English journalist's impressions of travelling through the vast spaces
of Russia, China and Mongolia (Section VI, «The Trans-Siberian Express»).
It’s no wonder that train are a literary genre all in their own. Writers from Graham
Green to Agatha Christie realized that there is nothing quite like curtained sleeping
compartments to quicken the narrative pulse. To board a train that crosses countries
and continents is to feel that anything might happen. From the first days of the
journey on board a Trans-Siberian Express the journalist was fascinated by the
changing countryside by his first-class compartment which has the air of a slightly
down-at hell gentlemen’s club. The scale of the Trans-Siberian the greatest of rail
journeys, is difficult to comprehend. Food in the dining car was adequate, if
uninspired. But the best food was to be found at the station where the train made
scheduled stops. The town they passed were a blur of smoking chimneys and grey
apartment blocks. They ratted across wild rivers and climbed into the Urals. But the
very easy journey began to betray the journalist. He read, slept, ate beginning to forget
who he was. Than they crossed into Mongolia. For miles they saw nothing then 2 or 3
yurts, a herd of horse grazing, a woman tending a flock of black goats. In the Gobi
desert the grass grew sparser, the red son blew away in the wind. But in China
everything was man-made, every inch of land was cultivated. At Peking they came to
half and emerged blinking into a real world again. In Chine the journalist was said to
leave the train. For a week it had been home, secure and familiar.

11. Share your impressions of the book you've read and discussed in class.

William Somerset Maugham is one of the best known English writers of the 20th
century. He wasn’t only a novelist, but also a one of the most successful dramatist and
short-story writers. He was a doctor by education, but a writer by profession. And
now I want to share my impressions of this novel. The story at first would seem to be
about Julia Lambert - leading actress in the theater of her husband. She is 46 years
old, talented and at the peak of her career. And she misses her husband, they are no
longer lovers, and friends and companions, leading a profitable business, with her son
she is not close, she has no friends. She has an affair with a young accountant who
comes to work in her theater. Julia calls him "poor lamb." She views this novel as a
passion for light and at first not taken seriously She falls in love with a young man but
the young man is a good "actor". He had an affair with Julia only in order to be in the
upper circle. However, in the sincerity of feelings of most of Julia also believe with
great difficulty. She is a very good actress, losing a lot of roles not only in the theater,
but also in life. What I loved this book the most for, were the characters and Julia
Lambert is a completely unforgettable character. The main character is not perfect, but
we can feel pity for her and we can understand her. This book left me examining my
own life and wondering which parts of it I act, and which parts are not a performance.

12. Give character sketches of the book you've read and discussed in class.

William Somerset Maugham is one of the best known English writers of the 20th
century. He wasn’t only a novelist, but also a one of the most successful dramatist and
short-story writers. As I read his novel “Theatre”, I want to share my impressions of
this novel. First of all I want to describe the main characters of this novel. Julia
Lambert won every prize that was open to her. She was a great hit. She had a good
figure and a great gift of mimicry, good sense of timing. Acting was her way of life –
she acted everywhere. People around her never knew when she was real Michal.
Julia’s husband. The best-looking, but not a good actor on the English stage. He didn’t
much like to throw his money about. One could get sympathy and kind words from
him, but very little cash. Anything he might have for himself he had abandoned in
order to foster his wife’s career. Tom is not particularly good-looking, but with frank,
open face.He was smart, that’s why people from the upper society were satisfied with
his work. To my mind he had an affair with Julia only in order to be in the upper
circle. What I loved this book the most for, were the characters and Julia Lambert is a
completely unforgettable character. The main character is not perfect, but we can feel
pity for her and we can understand her. This book left me examining my own life and
wondering which parts of it I act, and which parts are not a performance

13. Talk about a voyage to the Indonesian Islands as advertised in a newspaper

(Section VI, «Advertising a Voyage to the Indonesian Islands»).

1.There are over 12,000 islands voyage through the Java Sea we will concentrate on
just nine which although geographically close, offer the traveller a fascinating variety
of scenery and cultures. 2. Indeed, this sea-journey through these exotic islands will
offer a breathtaking variety of landscape; from the dramatic to the tranquil mix of
towering blue-grey volcanoes to brilliant verdant rice paddies and tropical lush coastal
scenery to cool hill country. 3. There is little doubt that the most comfortable and
exciting way to travel through Indonesia is by sea. Not only are the views from a
ship's deck appealing but more important is the absolute ease with which a succession
of islands are visited without having to use local flights and changes of hotels. 4. After
the day exploring, what could be better than to return to comfort and luxury of an air-
conditioned ship for good food and company as we sail through the night for our next
port of call 5. This is a delightful journey for those who enjoy shipboard life, the
atmosphere is informal and relaxing. There will be no black-tie events and
entertainments. Rather a voyage with like-minded travellers who enjoy travelling by
sea in the special atmosphere that only a small ship can offer. 6. In addition to being
one of the finest exploration cruise ships in the world, she offers the highest standards
of accommodation, food and service. She is also specially designed for unpredictable
seas. 7. There is accommodation for up to 110 passengers. All cabins are 'out- side"
with private shower and wc and refrigerator. It has a single-sitting restaurant, two
lounges, bar, library, shop, beauty parlour, clinic, sun deck, swimming pool and
plenty of deck areas for reading or observation. 8. The excellent facilities are
enhanced by the Scandinavian Officers and Management which together with the
caring Filipino crew make the MS Caledonian Star one of the happiest and best run
ships afloat.

14. Pubs are known as a typically English institution. Supply evidence for this
statement (Listening Comprehension. Text: “Down the Pub”)

Britain is a famous for its pubs, and the British are traditionally regarded as a nation
of beer-drinkers. But now all this is changing, says Chris Foulkes, an editor of wine
books at a London publishing house. He thinks the image of Britain as a beer-drinking
country is out of date. Britain now is drinking wine at a very increasing rate, at the
expense of beer and of hard spirits. A lot of the interest in wine is in parallel with the
interest in cooking because British people are far more interested in what they eat and
drink than they were 30-40 years ago. The pub, he says, is a wonderful institution, and
every time he goes to Europe he thinks it is wonderful to be in Europe, but it is a pity
there are no pubs. Because pubs are good places where you can eat or drink totally
casually; everybody uses them. Pubs have a strong neighborhood content. There is a
low that in the summertime pubs will be able to stay open all day long. Some people
think that it’ll spoil the atmosphere of the pub, but Chris thinks that it’s a good idea.
It’ll increase a trend towards pubs being more cosmopolitan. Pubs are increasingly
serving non-alcoholic drinks and food, you can’t drink and drive. The British have
been rather slow to catch on the fact to catch on the fact that you’ll crash your car if
you drink too much. The British public, apart from youngsters, stick to the old-
fashioned kind of pub. And it’s noticeable in London that the chain of pubs is the
most successful chain of all, and you can hardly get through the door in the evenings.

15. Describe a journey that went wrong for some reason (Listening Comprehension.
Text: “Journey to Namur”).

First of all I’d like to say that travelling is necessary for all of us, as it’s a kind of
relaxation and a good opportunity to relax your body, renew your mind and refresh
the spirit. Many people are keen on travelling and they look forward to going on a
holiday just to escape a daily grind of work, day-to-day pressures and get away from
usual sources of stress. But journey is not always a fun. Sometimes it can even turn
into hell. Fortunately, I don’t have such an experience, but I know people face the
problem like this. Let’s take a lady, who had to go to Namur on a business trip. She
was supposed to get there at 4 30 on Saturday. So, early in the morning she took a taxi
and arrived at the station in advance having plenty of time. She decided to wait for the
fast train, but about 10 min after the train was to have arrived, the announcement
came out that it was delayed. Because of this fact she missed her coach and had to
wait for another one, which should have gotten her to the airport. But there were road
works as a result the coach was delayed quite a bit. When she eventually arrived at the
airport, she was lucky to have only hand luggage, so she passed through the check in
quickly and was almost at the departure gate when realized that her bag was left at the
X-ray machine. The lady had to turn round, run there and pick the bag. Fortunately
she passed the passport control successfully and rushed to the departure lounge just to
know that her flight was delayed. The passengers had to wait for about an hour. But
the woman was optimistic and was still able to be in time. After landing she became a
little worried when saw a huge line at the passport control. And they waited, waited
and waited. When she got out of the passport control a local representative, which was
quite nice, met her. It was a real sign of relief when they boarded the through train and
thought that nothing else could happen. But suddenly the train stopped and because of
the bomb scare the passengers had to leave it. They waited for another one.

Eventually, the woman came to Namur 15 min before she was supposed to begin
talking. She admitted that it was a really heroine experience
16. Talk about the history and the present day of a big American city (Listening
Comprehension. Text: “San Francisco”)

Recently I have listened to the story about San Francisco. The city rests on a series of
hills varying in altitude from sea level to 938 feet. The first permanent settlement was
made at this site in 1776 when Spanish military post was established on the end of
that peninsula. During the same year, some Franciscan Fathers founded the Mission
San Francisco de Asis on a hill above the post. A trail was cleared from the military
post to the mission, and about halfway between the two, a station was established for
travelers called Yerba Buena, which means "the place were good herbs grow". For 13
years the village had fewer than one hundred inhabitants. But in 1848, with the
discovery of gold, the population grew to ten thousand. The same year, the name was
changed from Yerba(йэба) Buena(буэна) to San Francisco. By 1862 telegraph
communications linked San Francisco with eastern cities, and by 1869, the first
transcontinental railroad connected the Pacific coast with the Atlantic seaboard.
Today San Francisco has population over almost 3 million. It is a financial center of
the West, and serves as the terminus for trans-Pacific steamship lines and air traffic.
The port of San Francisco, which is almost 18 miles long with forty-two piers-пээс,
handles between 5 and 6 million tons of cargo-кагоу annually-аньюали. And now, if
you will look to your right, you should just be able to see the east section of the
Golden gate Bridge. The bridge, which is more than one mile long, spans the harbor
from San Francisco to Marin County and the Redwood Highway. It was completed in
1937 at a cost of $32 million and is still one of the largest suspension bridges in the
world.